The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Kenneth Minimah has said that the recruitment drive recently undertaken by the Nigerian Army is bearing fruits as some parents were even urging the Army to accept their children.
Minimah said,“We are doing our recruitment now, we are also receiving persuasions from people who want their wards enlisted in the Army.
“Now, if we don’t have a thorough recruitment, mind you, there is high level of unemployment on the ground, most people want jobs, if that job means joining the Army, fine; it’s a source of employment, but when the reality of military service comes, he drops his rifle and runs away.”
Speaking during the Chief of Army Staff, Third Quarter Conference 2014, which comprises Commanders of Army Formations, Department and Units, Minimah said the Army would soon receive new equipment to tackle Boko Haram and pleaded with Nigerians to exercise more patience.
“Yes, we have equipment, and the Federal Government is also introducing fresh and newer equipment to us, which will soon be home.
“The Nigerian Army is performing and I also know the expectations of the Nigerian citizens, the expectations are rather too hasty; we need some time, we need patience, we are fighting terrorism, we are not fighting a conventional war,” he stated.
He said he was aware soldiers were deserting the Army at the front lines but said that was a normal part of warfare from time immemorial.
“Desertion is part of warfare. We must accept that since the Carthaginian wars, soldiers have deserted from battle field.”